QuestLove, renowned musician and author, views the creative process similarly to a parent nurturing a child. He believes that children are naturally equipped with tools like wonderment and joy, which often diminish if not cultivated by the age of eight-years-old. With the aim to help children recognize and embrace their inherent creativity, QuestLove has debuted a new children’s book, “The Idea In You.”
“I think we naturally have these tools at the beginning of our life–wonderment, joy, fun, experimentation, trial and error (mostly error)–that usually evaporate if they don’t become muscle memory by the age of 8,” he told Parents in an exclusive interview about his new project. He added, “If you’re like me, you spend thousands of dollars on therapy to learn how to get those tools back.”
In this debut picture book, which is illustrated by Sean Qualls, QuestLove narrates the journey of a young boy—reflective of his own childhood—who learns to shape his creative idea into a unique star. The story encourages kids to pursue their passions through experimentation and joy, reminding them that creativity is not an instant product but a process that requires time and perseverance.
QuestLove’s inspiration for this book traces back to his earlier work, “Creative Quest,” where he first felt he had insights that could resonate with a broader audience. Conversations with parents seeking guidance for their musically inclined toddlers sparked his desire to share advice on removing creative limitations. He recalls his own upbringing, where his parents encouraged his musical exploration by providing him with a drum after he showcased his love for sound through pots and pans.
“The first piece of advice my birth doctor gave to my mom was ‘You should let him be as creative as he wants. If he plays in his food, don’t reprimand him. Let him make a mess, draw on the walls, etc,’” the 53-year-old told the outlet.” After about three months of that, they said ‘let’s get you a drum and see what happens. That was the [origin] of my creative journey.”
A central theme of “The Idea in You” is that creative ideas require nurturing and development. QuestLove emphasizes the importance of allowing ideas to breathe and mature. QuestLove likens the creative journey to his own experiences, from early exposure to the music industry through family to learning diverse approaches to creativity from mentors.
Ultimately, QuestLove hopes to inspire parents to foster their children’s creative potential by embracing exploration and risk-taking. He advocates for a hands-off approach, allowing kids the freedom to discover their passions without excessive pressure. With “The Idea in You,” he champions the idea that creativity is vital for everyone, not just aspiring musicians, and encourages parents to expose their children to a world of creative possibilities.
Photo: QuestLove Instagram; QuestLove.com